Unused satellite phone minutes now carry forward

TORONTO -- Month-to-month rollover minutes for ordinary mobile phone service might not be all that important to many business travellers. But, for those who travel internationally and use the more expensive Iridium satellite phones, the option to carry forward unused minutes to the next month could be an attractive cost control feature.

Roadpost, a provider of global voice and data communications solutions for the business traveller, announced this week that it is the first service provider in North America to offer carry forward and pooled plans for international cellular and Iridium satellite service subscribers. Rather than wasting unused minutes at the end of each month, subscribers to Roadpost services can now carry those minutes forward for a period of six months. Iridium satellite subscribers can carry forward minutes for a period of 12 months. Roadpost's new pooled services feature also allows organizations to share minutes on a single subscription plan across multiple users.

"Roadpost is the first in the industry to offer these value added programs for international services," said Morris Shawn, President and CEO of Roadpost. With the carry forward and pooled features, we can deliver exceptional value and flexibility to help organizations better manage their international telecommunications budget.

"International travellers want flexibility with their telecommunications service," he said. "Many only travel certain times of the year and often cannot enjoy the full value of the minutes purchased. Having the ability to carry forward and pool minutes on a subscription plan can certainly translate into overall savings -- up to 32 per cent -- and better management of resources."

Carry for 12 months

Pooled and carry forward plans for international cellular services include oneRoam World, International 50 and International 100. Unused minutes carry forward for six months. Iridium Satellite Pooled and Carry Forward Plans include Iridium 30, Iridium 120 and Iridium 240. Unused minutes carry forward for 12 months.

The carry forward and pooled features are part of an overall package of new offerings introduced by Roadpost for international travellers. The company has also introduced a rush delivery service for rental and subscription customers in North America. For a premium, Roadpoast will guarantee delivery by 10:30 a.m. EST or Saturday, if applicable, for requests received after 3 p.m. the previous day as well as pay for the return. For rental services, it has also expanded its loss and theft coverage to include damage protection. These offerings are available for both international cellular and Iridium services.

Roadpost has also introduced a number of additional enhancements to its Iridium Satellite service, including a $200 reduction in the cost of the handset (subscribers only), new subscription and rental service packages for added flexibility and choice and discounts on airtime rates.

Combining GSM and satellite

Last month, Roadpost announced the launch of Thuraya -- the first dual-mode mobile telephone service to deliver combined satellite/GSM capabilities in one easy-to-use, cost-effective package. With coverage to more than 120 countries in the Middle East, Europe, North and Central Africa and Central and South Asia, Thuraya provides mobile users communications access to nearly one-third of the globe at a comparable rate to international cellular services, and at significantly less cost than dedicated satellite services.

"With the addition of Thuraya to our portfolio, Roadpost is able to offer mobile users more choice in more locations at competitive rates," Shawn said, president and CEO of Roadpost. "Thuraya is the perfect complement to our international cellular and satellite services by filling an important niche demand."

Key benefits of Thuraya service include: 45 per cent savings on hardware, subscription and activation fees; a UK-based number to reduce the cost of calls to satellite from North America by as much as 69 per cent over other satellite rates. Plus users can save an additional 44 per cent on airtime by purchasing one of Roadpostís high value rental bundles.

The Thuraya dual-mode satellite/GSM mobile handset can operate in either satellite or cellular mode, depending on location, and offers voice, data, fax and short messaging services. Users simply set the handset on the preferred setting and the system will automatically switch between modes when required. Thuraya data kits include GPS software (global positioning system) for use in a variety of remote location applications including mining and oil and gas when users are required to know exactly where they are in the world.

Roadpost subscribers can access Thurayaís mobile satellite system through their existing oneRoam World SIM cards. This allows them to stay connected to the global cellular mobile network, while gaining access to satellite whenever the cellular preferred network is out of reach.

Global customer support

"Roadpost is the only service provider in the world to offer customers this level of choice, flexibility and convenience for their mobile services," said Shawn. "We also offer the most comprehensive support services in the business, from billing systems, global customer support, frequent flyer miles from Aeroplan American Airlines Aadvantage and United Mileage Plus and local access numbers to innovative and competitive rate packages that include pooled and carry forward plans, among other cost-saving bundles."

Thuraya phones start at US$795, with batteries, chargers, data cable and kits charged separately. Roadpost offers a range of rental and subscription plans to address specific travel needs.

Founded in 1991, Roadpost provides customized global communications to individuals and corporations. The companyís comprehensive portfolio includes International Cellular, Iridium satellite, Thuraya satellite and Remote Internet Access communications services providing complete global coverage, no matter where the destination. Alliances with industry leaders such as mmO2, Bouygues Telecom, Swisscom, Telecom Italia Mobile, Bell Mobility, Telus Mobility, Iridium, GRIC Communications, Motorola and Nokia allow Roadpost to deliver reliable and secure communications with the largest network of worldwide coverage. In addition, affiliations with loyalty programs American Airlines Aadvantage, Aeroplan and United Mileage Plus provide customers with an opportunity to earn loyalty points when using Roadpostís services.